Chapter 7: Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter 7: Frequently Asked Questions

“How do I know that the mainstream core standards are being fully implemented?”

There is no countywide document to monitor the implementation and impact of the mainstream core standards although training over the next academic year will further support this. When monitoring the impact of standards consider: • Data: attendance, pastoral, outcomes, and exclusion for SEND • The school’s understanding of the KCC context and continuum of support • Families feedback on SEND provision • Feedback from the Teaching and learning lead with regards to quality first teaching for all • Curriculum adaptations: aspirational and ambitious for all • Identification, assessment and monitoring processes

“What is Quality First Teaching?”

This is when teaching and learning focuses on high quality, inclusive teaching for all learners in the classroom. It is about engaging all learners in an ambitious curriculum, scaffolding tasks, and having clear successful outcomes.

It is a term that is widely used to describe high quality teaching. Below is a link to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), a predecessor to the Department for Education (DfE), guide to personalised learning. The term QFT came out of this publication and, although this document is now archived, it sets out clearly the key characteristics of QFT as:

• Highly focused lesson design with sharp objectives • High demands of pupil involvement and engagement with their learning

• High levels of interaction for all pupils • Appropriate use of questioning, modelling and explaining on the part of the teacher. • An emphasis on learning through dialogue, with regular opportunities for pupils to talk both individually and in groups. • An expectation that pupils will accept responsibility for their own learning and work independently. • Regular use of encouragement and authentic praise to engage and motivate pupils

“Are printed copies of the Mainstream Core Standards document available? Would be helpful for day-to-day reference for teachers and TA’s?”

The mainstream core standards are available as a printable PDF however, schools generally distribute these on their shared drives alongside any supportive CPD for easy access to specific parts of the standards

“Is there anywhere we can go that helps to understand where the directives are coming from and what the difficulties are?”

The Written Statement of Action was developed following the Local Area OFSTED/ CQC inspection in 2019. Information relating to this can be found by clicking here. In response to the Written Statement of Action, the local area has developed a SEND Improvement Programme with a significant Inclusion workstream. Information relating to this workstream, and the work ongoing can be found on KELSI by clicking here.

“I see that the Mainstream Core Standards are branded as KCC, are they also used in Medway?”

The Mainstream Core Standards (MCS) were developed for Kent mainstream schools, those within the jurisdiction of Kent County Council. Medway Council is a unitary council and therefore directives to schools and education settings are separate.

“When does a school need to apply for top up funding? Can they apply and get the top up later in the year or does it have to be applied for at the start of the year only?”

Schools can apply for High Needs Funding at any time in the academic year when the cost of special educational provision for an individual CYP exceeds £6000. The link to guidance on High Needs Funding on Kelsi is below: High Needs Funding link.